Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
RAIA: United Club of Verna displayed fine form as they defeated St Anthony SC, Marna-Siolim 4-2 to storm into the quarter-finals of 44th Gold Silver football tournament played at Rosary Church ground, Navelim, on Thursday.
Right from the start, the Verna side showed their intent. In very second minute, Roydon Rego almost put them ahead but failed to convert. At the other end, Brandon Pereira of St Anthony SC tested the UC Verna defence with a powerful effort in the 4th minute.
The breakthrough came in the 20th minute when Roydon opened the scoring for United Club of Verna after a deflection off a St Anthony SC defender. Just three minutes later, Rego struck again to give his side a comfortable 2-0 cushion.
Keeping up the momentum, United Club of Verna netted their third goal in the 36th minute through Meldon Moniz. Brandon Pereira of St Anthony SC, however, missed a chance to pull one back soon after.
St Anthony SC finally reduced the margin in the 1-3 scoreline when Kanaya Gouthkar found the net. But United Club of Verna continued their attacking dominance, and Royson Moniz made it 4-1 shortly after.
Refusing to give up, Kanaya Gouthkar scored his second goal for St Anthony SC, narrowing the deficit to 2-4. Despite their efforts, St Anthony SC could not stage a comeback as UC Verna’s defence stood firm till the final whistle.